Business Council releases 2012 Voters' Guide

by jmaloni

Mon, Sep 10th 2012 07:00 am

The
Business Council of New York State Inc. has released its 2012 Voters'
Guide, which measures New York State legislators' commitment to
promoting fiscal reform and improving the state's economic climate
by scoring their votes on key legislation during the 2012 session.

All
212 seats will be up for re-election in 2012, and the Voters' Guide
provides an opportunity for voters to review individual legislators'
records. The Business Council will be using its combined 2011-12
rankings and other factors in making endorsements in advance of the
November legislative elections.

Overall,
the scorecard shows generally positive performance by both
legislative houses, but clear leadership on pro-growth issues in the
state Senate Majority and Assembly Minority.

"The
pro-business momentum we saw in the 2010, 2011 and 2012 legislative
sessions needs to continue in order for New York to regain its
economic strength," said Heather Briccetti, president and CEO of
the Business Council. "In November, business leaders and all New
Yorkers can use the Voters' Guide to identify and support
legislators who are committed to a pro-growth, pro-jobs agenda."

The
Business Council 2012 Voters' Guide includes 15 priority bills that
were subject to a floor vote in one or both houses of the state
legislature. The list includes nine pro-growth proposals and six
bills that would have imposed new costs, new mandates and/or new
hurdles on the state's business community.

The
Senate Majority, led by Majority Leader Dean Skelos, Sen. Thomas
Libous, Sen. George Maziarz and others, were all at the 90 percent
support level.

The
Assembly Minority had nine members at 92 percent (11 pro-growth votes
out of 12 bills voted on in that house).